Speed-controlling mechanism for automobiles.



Nb. 889,528. PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908. T. B. JBFFERY.

SPEED CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLI 'ATION FILE]; JAN. 12, 1907.

2 SHEETSBHEBT'1.

"MM/K. 1 .280) MW No. 889,528. PATENTED JUNE 2, 1908.

' T.-B. JEFPERY.

SPEED CONTROLLING MECHANISM F OR'AUTOM OBILES.

' APPLICATION FILED 3111.12, 1907. v

2 SHEETS- SHEET 2.

"/40 dab? 6,96

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS BQJEFFERY, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.

SPEED-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 2, 1908.

Appfication filed .Tapuary 12, 1907. Serial No. 851,984,

' ing drawings, which form apart of this speciflcation.

My invention relates in general to speed controlhng mechanism and more particularly to means for either automatically or manually controlling the speed of an explosive engine of an automobile.

It is well known that the speed of automobiles propelled by explosive engines may be increased by advancing the-time of the ignition of the ex losive mixtures, by increasing the supply 0 air to the explosive mixture, and also by increasing the quantity of explosive mlxture in proportion to the increasing speed. It is therefore customary to provide explosiveengines on automobiles with means for advancing the ignition and for increasing the air supply in order that the greatest efliciency may be obtained.

-An object of my invention is to provide an explosive engine of an automobile with a governor for automatically regulating the supply of air to the explosive mixture according tothe speed of the engine.

A further object of my invention is to provide an explosive engine of an automobile with a governor for automatically regulating the speed of the engine, the operation of which will be visible to the driver thereby indicating'the speedof the machine A further object of my invention is to provide anexplosive engine of an automo ile with a governor for automatically regulating the speed of the engine the operation of which may be manually controlled from the drivers seat.

-air according to the speed of the engine, the operation of which, may be controlled manually by the-driver.

Aistill further object of my invention is to provide an improved speed controlling mechanism for automobiles which will be simple in construction, inexpensive in manufacture and eflicient in operation.

The embodiment of my invention herein disclosed may be generally described as comprising a centrifugal governor carried by a shaft rotated by the engine, a connection leading from the governor to an ignition timing device, another connection leading from,

the governor to a valve for controlling the supply of air to the'mixture, a third connection leading from the governor to an indicator located in a position convenient tothe driver, and means for manually moving the indicator and thereby controlling through the interposed governor the timing and air su ply.

y invention will be more fully described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the same is illustrated in a convenient and practical form, and in which Figure 1 is an elevational view of a double cylinder explosive engine, and the adjacent portions of an automobile frame; Fi 2 a plan view of theindicator; .Fig. 3 an e 'arged elevational view of the air supply valve, timing device -and operative connections w th the governor; Fig. 4 a sectional view on l ne 4-4 Fig. 5; Fig. 5 a sectional view on line 55 Fig. 4'show' the governor and rock shaft actuated there y; Fig. 6 an elevational view of one of the weighted bell crank levers of the governor; and Fig. 7 a longitudinal sectional view through the plunger actuated by the .governor. I Similar reference characters are used .to designate similar parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Reference letter A designates one of the side frames of an automobile and reference characters a and (JP-transverse frames beneath which the engine is supported.

'13 designates the dash board of the automobile.

0 indicates the steering wheel secured to the upper end of a shaft mounted within a tubular su port 0.

D and l designate the cylinders of an explosive engine located on opposite sides of a crank-shaft.

E indicates a carbureter for supplying an explosive mixture through the conduit e to the engine cylinders.

The structure above described forms in itself no part of my invention, but is illustrated in order that the operation of my.invention may be fully understood. It will, of course, be understood that my invention is: applicable to any type of an automobile explosive engine and is not limited inits use to the type of double cylinder engine in connection with" which it is disclosed in the drawings.

Reference character D designates the crank-shaft which is rotated in the usual manner by the successive explosions in the en ine cylinders.

indicates a gear wheel adapted to rotate a shaft for controlling the valves of the engine cylinders.

F indicates a cap secured on the end ofthe crank-shaft which projects through the gear wheel (1. The cap F may be conveniently secured to the crank-shaft by means of a screw-threaded ost f having a flange around the outer end t ereof. Brackets f and f project from diametrically opposite points on the cap F and serve as fulcrums for weighted bell-crank levers G and G which constitute-a centrifugal governor. The arms g and g of the bell-crank levers lie adjacent opposite sides of a rod 9 projecting concentrically from the post A plunger H is loosely mounted upon 1; e rod g and may be conveniently in the form of a tube having its outer end'closed. A fla' e h surrounds the inner end of the plunger and is adapted to be engaged by the arms of the weighted bellcrank levers when they are swung outwardly by centrifugal force. The outer end of the plunger H extends through a tubular guide is formed through a casing K surrounding the centrifugal overnor. I

A rock-shaft is sup orted upon the exterior of the casing K y means of ears 7c.

and Te A crank arm Z 'is secured to the rock-shaft L and overliesthe outer end of the plunger H. A s ring Z surrounds the rockshaft L interme iate of the brackets 7c and k the tension ofwhich retains the crankarm 1 in contact with. the outer end of the plunger H. The spring Z may be of any desired construction and for convenience is shown as secured at one end to the bracket 7c and at its other end to the rock-shaft L so that the oscillation of the shaft by the outward movement of the plunger engaging the arm Z will increase the tension of the'spring.

An arm I is adjustably secured to the rock-shaft L and is connected at its outer end by a linkm with an air su ply valve M located Within the conduit e Feading from the carbureter E to the engine cylinders. The valve M may be of any suitable construction and is shown for convenience as in the form of a conical rceiprocating valve normally retained in closed position by the tension of a spring m interposed between acollar on'the end of the valve stem and a boss on the exterior of the conduit e, as clearly shown in the arm and valve may be su'fliciently flexible to prevent .binding of the valve when opened by the oscillation of the rock shaft. 'A second crankarm Z is adjustably secured to the rock-shaft L and is connected by suitable means with an indicator located in position to be readily seen by the -.driver of the machine. I havev illustrated the indicator as being secured to the guide tube a of the steering shaft at a point below the wheel C. It will be understood; however, that the indicator may be located at any other convenient point. The indicator comprises a dial N secured by a collar n tothe guide I tube 0 of the steering shaft. N designates a pointer adapted to move relatively to a scale upon the indicating dial N Thepointer N is provided with a han dle n by means of which it may be manually moved by the driver. The dial is provided with suitable means for limiting the movement of the pointer as for instance a series of holes 17. intowhich a pin N may be inserted .to obstruct the movement of the pointer relatively to the scale. 'The pointer is rigidly secured to the upper end of a rod N the lower end of which is supported in a-bracket a projecting from the guide tube 0. A link n connects a crank-arm on the rod N with the upper end of a bell-crank lever N. The oposite arm of the bell-crank lever is connected y a rod m with the crank arm I on the rock-shaft L.

p indi-v ring and through a slot in which the arm 0 1 extends.

The operation of my invention is as follows: Rotation of the crank-shaft D rotates the centrifugal governor so that as the speed of rotation of the shaft increases the weights of the governor will be thrownoutwardly, thereby -forcing the plunger 'H outwardly with'respect to the surrounding casing. The outward movement of the-plunger oscillates the crank-shaft L through. engagement with the crank-arm Z. Theextent of oscillation of the crank-shaft varies according to the movement of the governor and consequently according to the'speed of rotation of the 110. P indicates the commutator shaft which crank-shaft. The oscillation of the rockshaft through the crank arm 1 and link m un-seats the valve M and permits air to pass the speed of the machine is indicated by means of the oscillation of the rock-shaft rotating the pointer n with respectto the dial through the medium of the interposed connections. When it is desired to manually control the speed of the engine pressure is applied to the handler of the pointer N to oscillate the rock-shaft L in a direction either to open or close the air supply valve and to coineidently advance or .retard the'ignition timing device. the speed to a predetermined degree the stop pin N is inserted in one of the holes 12? in the dial N according to the speed desired, as indicated on the graduations of the dial:

From the foregoing description it will be observed thatI have invented an improved speed controlling mechanism for automobiles by means of which an airsupply valve and an ignition timing device will be automatically regulated as the speed of the engine varies, and by means of Which'the speed of the engine may. be indicated to thedriver and by him manually controlled by adjusting the air supply valve and ignition timing device.

While I have illustrated the air supply valve as located in the conduit leadingfrom the carbureter to the engine cylinders, yet it is, of course, evident that the air supply valve can be located at any other point and may in fact control the supply of air to the carbureter. So far as my invention is con-' cerned the air supply valve may be located at any point where it would regulate the proportion of air in the combustible mixture.

2 It will also be observed that the operation of the governor may be adjusted by varying the tension of the spring R which is shown as surrounding the rod n and as interposed between'the stationary guide ear .r and-a collar R adjustably secured to the rod'by a clamp screw T. It is also evident that the arms on. the rock-shaft may be adjusted so as to regulate as desired the movement of the valve, or of the timing device, or ofthe indicator relatively to the movement of the governor.

While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form, the proportion of parts, and the substitution of equivalents, as circumstances may suggest, or render expedient Without departing irom the spirit of my invention.

When it'is desired to limit.

i Having now fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a motor-driven vehicle, a motor'for propelling the vehicle at various speeds, a motor-controller, a speed indicator driven in time relation with said motor so as to show the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, operative connections between said controller and said indicator for causing the controller to be actuated upon variations in the speed, said indicator including relatively movable cooperative dial and index members located within reach of an occupant of the vehicle, and said latter members being so arranged that relative movements may -be effected between them by such occupant.

2. In a motor-driven vehicle, a motor for propelling the vehicle at various speeds, a

unotor-controller, a device driven in time relation with respect to said motor,-connections between said controller and said device for causing the latter .to operate the controller according to the speed, relatively movable cooperating index and dial members located within reach of an occupant of the vehicle, and operative connections between said device and said members for producing relative movements of said members.

3. In a motor-driven vehicle, a motor for propelling the vehicle at various speeds, a motor-controller, a device driven in time relation with respect to said motor, connections between said controller and said device for causing the latter to operate the controller according to the speed, relatively movable cooperating index and dial members located within reach of an occupant of the vehicle, operative connections between said device and said members for roducing relative movements of said mem ers, and said members being so arranged that relative movements between said members may be efiected by suchoccupant.

4. In a motor-driven vehicle, an internal combustion engine for pro elling the vehicle at various speeds a contro ler for regulating the charge, a device drivenin tim'erelation with respect to said engine, connections between said controller and said device for causing the latter to operate the controller according to the speed of the engine, relatively movable cooperating index and dial members located wlthinreach of an occupant of the vehicle, and operative connections between said device and said members for producing relative movements of said members C 5. In. a motordriven,veh icle, an internal combustion engine for pro elling the vehicle at various speeds, a contro ler for regulating the charge, a device driven in time relation with respect to said engine, connections beaccording to the'speed of the engine, relatively movable coo crating index and dial members located wit in reach of an occupant of the vehicle, operative connections between said device and said members for roducing relative movements of said mem ers, and said members belng so arranged that rela-.

tive movements between said members may be eflected by said occupant.

6. In a motor-driven vehicle, an internal combustion engine for propelling the vehicle at various speeds, anugnition' controller, a device driven in time relation with respect to said engine, connections between sald controller and said device for causing the controller to be operated to advance or retard the ignition as the speed of the engine increases or decreases, relatively movable cooperating index and dial members located within reach of an occupant ofthe vehicle, operative connections between said device and said members for producing relative movements between said members, and said members being so arranged that relative movements between them may be effected by said occupant.

7. In a motor-driven vehicle, an internal combustion engine for propelling 'the vehicle at various speeds, a controller for regulating time relation with t e".1n0t0r so as to show the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, operative connections between said controller and said indicator for causing said controller to be actuated upon variations in the speed, said indicator including a graduated dial arranged within reach of an occupant of the vehicle to ether with an index movable over said -dia said index being arranged so that it may be grasped and moved across said dial by such occupant.

,and means for lockin between said controller and said device for causin the latter to operate the controller according to the speed of the motor, a graduated dial arranged within reach of an occupant of the vehicle, an index member movable across said dial, and connections between-said index member and said device for causing the device to move the index member into such positions on the dial as to indicate the speed at which the vehicle must travel.

10, In a motor-driven vehicle, a'motor for propelling the vehicle at various speeds, a motor-controller, a device driven in time relation with respect to said motor, connections between said controller and said device for causing the latter to operate the controller according to the speed of the motor; a gracinated dial arranged within reach of an occupant of the vehicle, an index member movable across said dial, connections between said index member and said device for causing the device to move the index member into such positions on the dial as to indies te the speed at which the vehicle must travel, said index member against movement on t e dial in a position to indicate any desired speed. a

1 1 In a motor-driven vehicle, a motor for propelling the vehicle at various speeds, a motor-controller, a device driven in time relation with respect to said motor, connections between said controller and said device for causing the latter to operate the controller according to the speed of the motor, a graduated dial arranged within reach of an occupant of the vehicle, an index member movable across said dial, and connections between said index member and said device for causin the device to move the ind ex member into suc ositions on the dial as to indicate the s ee at In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS B. JEFFERY. Witnesses:

GEo. H. EDDY, H. V. JEFFERY. 

